State Lawmakers Deal Another Blow to Proposed Pipeline

Sponsoring representative Patrick Painter of Nephi warns that the day will come with Utah will wish it did otherwise. Notwithstanding, fellow lawmakers shot down Painter's proposal to help fund a Lake Powell to St. George water pipeline by earmarking a portion of state sales taxes.

Under Painter's proposal, the state would set aside a portion of state sales tax to help pay for the $1 billion project. Water users would then repay the state for the loan.

Painter's proposal won the support of just one follow committee member. Other lawmakers argued that the project should be left to stand on its own. State senator Howard Stephenson questioned why Utah tax payers should be the bank.

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New population projections released by Governor Gary Herbert’s office are showing slower growth than expected in Utah’s Washington County. The new growth projections for Washington County could mean a stop to planning for the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline.

“It effectively means that the Lake Powell Pipeline is totally obsolete and unnecessary, and will save the tax payers billions of dollars over the long run for not building this project,” said Zachary Frankel, Utah Rivers Council Executive Director.